Thread Number: 70689  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
The First Hotpoint Front Loader 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 936585   5/5/2017 at 15:49 (2,546 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Evening all,

I'm still a bit speechless from what I've just acquired but on Wednesday evening I made the 2 hour journey to collect something very special, something I never thought I'd ever see in person despite my efforts in pursuing one since I first joined this community.

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Post# 936587 , Reply# 1   5/5/2017 at 16:06 (2,546 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Introducing the Hotpoint Automatic 1600 - all 1100rpm of it!!!

Nothing much to do externally other than a good wipe down and a polish. The "Hotpoint Automatic" print on the fascia needs stencilled on again but that's not a matter of urgency since the machine is of a minimalistic design.

The timer and programme indicator need some attention as the indicator doesn't move along at all with the timer, probably something that's jammed or requires realignment. The door boot is in good condition thankfully but the sump hose (a one piece hose connecting the tub, dispenser, pump and pressure chamber all together) has perished right at junction to the pump. Luckily I've found a few spares including the sump hose so I shouldn't have to get creative but I'll get these just to have in case I need them.

The bearings seem to be in good order and that delicate backplate with all the bits bolted onto it is in perfect condition. The inner drum has a little play but a quick chat with a Hotpoint engineer who worked on these confirmed that the rubber washers sandwiched between the drum and the spider have perished so it's a bit rumbly at the moment but I'll get it sorted with some creativity. The spider is plastic coated (why couldn't all manufacturers do this!) so that should be fine.

Looks like I'll be able to use it in a matter of weeks!

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Post# 936590 , Reply# 2   5/5/2017 at 16:21 (2,546 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Stunned into silence James.
Am off to bed.

Wake up in the morning and fingers crossed this thread will still be on the forum, to prove I am not dreaming.

Nighty night.
Paul :-)



Post# 936594 , Reply# 3   5/5/2017 at 16:29 (2,546 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

Wow James CONGRATS on such a rare find!  I'm sure you'll get it all get it shorted and working soon!  

 

Very neat that the controls are on top rather than the front.  What year is it from?

 

Cheers!

Kevin
Post# 936595 , Reply# 4   5/5/2017 at 16:37 (2,546 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Internally, it's very clean which as always nice - no rust to sand down, prime and paint on this one!

It looks like a very well made machine despite its issues with unreliable electronics and fragile backplates. I bet it will be a very stable spinner with those 4 suspension units and a primitive out of balance circuit.

The motor is an AC-Delco motor made in Darlaston, AC-Delco is a division of General Motors USA and the pump looks absolutely huge compared to what followed and with no sign of a manufacturers sticker on it I'm guessing it may have been manufactured in-house by Hotpoint/GEC.

It's interesting to note how slim the depth of the machine is compared to the standard 21-23in deep washing machines that were on the market at that time. It's also slightly taller than standard so that makes it look even slimmer.

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Post# 936596 , Reply# 5   5/5/2017 at 16:44 (2,546 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

But does it work? Well, I can't try it out on a wash programme due to the severity of the leak from the sump hose but with some persuasion I managed to get the timer moved to the final spin segment and here is what happened!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO supermaticjames's LINK
Post# 936599 , Reply# 6   5/5/2017 at 16:48 (2,546 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
That'll take your mind off the keymatic, James.

 Well done, fantastic one of these early machines has at last been found, look forward to seeing it in action.

Mathew



Post# 936603 , Reply# 7   5/5/2017 at 17:20 (2,546 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
so that's what one sounds like

 That pump looks and sounds like the one fitted into our 18 series hotpoint. Also looking at the cabinet side on, you can see a definate design/manufacturing progression from this machine to the liberator/18 series.

Was that on delicate spin or was it 1100rpm?

Mathew

Post# 936738 , Reply# 8   5/6/2017 at 08:50 (2,546 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Hi Mathew,

It must be a Hotpoint/GEC manufactured pump as I've seen anything like it, it sounds like it means business!

That was 1100rpm - it doesn't sound like it's going that fast but the drum pulley is noticeably smaller than the average diameter we're used to seeing so the motor doesn't have to run as fast compared to its successors. It's fairly quiet during tumbles and distribution. Can't wait to get her all sorted but with two great machines in the restoration queue I don't know which one to do first!

James

Post# 936740 , Reply# 9   5/6/2017 at 09:07 (2,546 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture


Well done James, congratulations on the awesome find!

What year is it, or, how old is it?

Thanks!
Kevin




This post was last edited 05/06/2017 at 13:57
Post# 936817 , Reply# 10   5/6/2017 at 16:18 (2,545 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Congratulations on your find. Do these machines make distinctive sounds. There is a special sound the old Bendix and Westinghouse machines here in the US used to make. It certainly looks clean.

Post# 936834 , Reply# 11   5/6/2017 at 17:59 (2,545 days old) by optima (Cumbria England)        
Automatic 1600

 optima's profile picture
Still in a state of shock ! Congratulations James on getting your hands on this Actual Hotpoint 1st Edition Classic. You really are doing well on getting hold of the ultra rare Washers lately. I am so ready to seeing the Ti Creda One Thousand in action.

Post# 936900 , Reply# 12   5/7/2017 at 02:02 (2,545 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi James.

Well! Well, well, well! See, I told you so.

Years ago, you used to complain to me, saying words to the effect of 'there's nothing over here' and 'Its all Hotpoint 95's and nothing else' etc etc and I used to tell you to just put the word out about your interest and be patient.
Well, I told you so :-)

Congratulations on finding one of those machines that we have all talked about, but that only a few have seen and even fewer owned. The patience has spectacularly paid off, the adverts you posted and re-posted online have worked and you are now the proud custodian of the fabled Hotpoint 1600 .... and in superb condition too!
I can even live with it's name having rubbed off the front - just adds to its stark simple appearance.

I am totally over the moon that finally one has surfaced and the list of fabled machines still to be found has been reduced by a VERY BIG one.

With custodianship of such machines as the 1600, Mk41H, 10700 and 707 (can you believe you've found all four of those in the last couple of years!) comes responsibilities! Namely to educate us all about everything about them, so keep them photos and video links rolling onto this thread. I cannot wait for more updates - hint, hint.

It really is great news that finally one has been found - well, done and congratulations.
Paul
p.s yep - the pump is Hotpoint/GEC manufactured - there is one fitted to my 1828 Liberator and, when compared to the regular pumps we usually associate with Hotpoint machines, they sound like a bag of bolts - particularly when bone dry, as is the case with my example.
p.p.s I am sure I remember Nigel (reversomatic) mentioning that, with both the 1600 and 1830, you cannot simply stop the machine, go back to the beginning and start again. The machine will always have to go through some sort of spin and the timer be allowed to tick it's way through to the end and the timeline display be allowed to fly back.
The only by-pass (I'm sure I am right in saying this, but go back and check), is to either prize off or unscrew (can't remember which) the dial cap to reveal a groove, into which you insert a coin and turn the dial. This will enable you to by-pass the spin cycle and get the timer manually back to the beginning again.

Keep the photos coming for the archive - nice and LARGE! :-)



Post# 937353 , Reply# 13   5/9/2017 at 13:23 (2,542 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Hi Kevin,

If I have correctly deciphered the serial number I believe it's from February 1973. For its age it's in good condition.

Gyrafoam, this machine wouldn't sound like the usual Hotpoint UK front loader as there are a few differences between this and its successors.

Craig, thanks! I'm still a bit shocked myself that there is one physically in my presence, I never thought I'd see the day! I have loads of videos to take so you can be sure that this and the Creda One Thousand Electronic maiden washes will be up on my channel quite soon.

Post# 937359 , Reply# 14   5/9/2017 at 13:41 (2,542 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Hi Paul,

I know, I know! I still remember saying the same things and getting down in the dumps over the matter. It hasn't sunk in yet that I'll never ever have to post another wanted advert for a 1600. It wasn't an easy search but I will be so glad to loose the thoughts in the back of my mind about looking for one.

Work on the machine has been ongoing and not much had to be done as you will see later this evening when I get the many photos I have taken transferred over and test wash could be done as early as Friday depending on how things go!

The pump may sound like a bag of bolts but it's a very assertive sound and that's how I see the 1600 - an assertive, stylish and sturdy machine. You are absolutely correct about having to unscrew the timer knob cover and lodging a coin (our €1 coin fits perfectly) into a groove that prevents the knob from freewheeling allowing the timer to be returned to the off position and the programme indicator to flyback. A bit of hassle but I find it manageable. The very early 1600s had no groove at all and the owner had to make do with waiting for the timer to advance to off!

James

Post# 937390 , Reply# 15   5/9/2017 at 16:33 (2,542 days old) by ricky5050 (Durham Britain)        
February 1973??

 ricky5050's profile picture
I came off the production line then too !! Perhaps I should have this machine !!!

I'm Richard

Post# 937392 , Reply# 16   5/9/2017 at 16:43 (2,542 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        
Progress so far...

 The stuck programme indicator and timer knob issue was easy to sort. A nylon part in the linkage between the door release slider and the timer was broken and naturally obsolete. I could have tried gluing it but because this part is supposed to keep the connecting rod under pressure it wouldn't be long until I'd be back at square one. So, as advised by the Hotpoint engineer I'm friends with I removed the linkage as it was a common fault and it would continue to cause me bother. This means is that the door can be opened anytime at all during the programme but that's not really a big deal breaker since there will be no kids around it. The timer surprised me, as soon as I lifted the top I noticed it looked very familiar. It's made by Holzer who also made the timers for the first Hoover Keymatics but obviously there are a few differences such as the Hotpoint not having rapid advance etc.




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Post# 937397 , Reply# 17   5/9/2017 at 17:00 (2,542 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Now moving on to the main issue which was the drum moving around on it's spider due to the 44 year old rubber washers that have perished.

Obviously, this involves removing the outer tub backplate and inner drum, even though I hate doing that sort of thing I'm glad I did. Don't be deceived! The outer tub was in fantastic condition with only a little rust and very little scum but beneath the rust there were three small holes and I would have had to remove the backplate and inner drum anyway if left untreated. So out comes the sandpaper, chemical metal and Hammerite and the tub is sorted for another 44 years - I hope!

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Post# 937400 , Reply# 18   5/9/2017 at 17:15 (2,542 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

It was suggested I replaced the perished rubber washers with custom made plastic ones so I found some suitable plastic that was readily available and cut my own washers to the design of the originals. These work perfectly!

Whilst I was at it, I put fresh grease in the bearings as they were still good to go after 44 years and cleaned up the spider which is cast iron coated in plastic so that will probably outlive the machine haha! The spider is similar to the later alloy ones and the inner drum is like a 1850 drum only slightly larger in diameter and lacks the lip at the front.

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Post# 937403 , Reply# 19   5/9/2017 at 17:27 (2,542 days old) by optima (Cumbria England)        
1600

 optima's profile picture
Really Enjoying this James. Truly stunning condition for its age & that Beauty is the same age as me 44

Post# 937407 , Reply# 20   5/9/2017 at 17:37 (2,542 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Now sounding much better and with the replacement hose arriving tomorrow I will be able to do a water test on Thursday all being well!

That's all for now!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO supermaticjames's LINK
Post# 937940 , Reply# 21   5/12/2017 at 08:14 (2,540 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hotpoint 1600

 chestermikeuk's profile picture
Fantastic work James, great to see finally just what the inside of this rare washer is made of, see what you mean about the outlet hole, Those motors are one of a kind , and certainly make it a unique sound, made in Dunstable by General Motors, I remember a school friends mum having one in a laundry outhouse and hearing it working !!

Post# 938197 , Reply# 22   5/13/2017 at 05:07 (2,539 days old) by RobM (Buxted)        

robm's profile picture
Fantastic find James and it looks like it is in great hands.

Thanks for sharing and uploading the video.

Rob

Post# 940675 , Reply# 23   5/28/2017 at 16:12 (2,523 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Hi Mike,

I've been informed by several engineers who worked on these that the AC-Delco motor is superior to the GEC motors fitted to the 1600s successors. I found hardly any trace of carbon dust and the brushes themselves are so easy to change - just unscrew the plastic caps and the brushes pop out. They are quite small like the brushes you would find in a vacuum cleaner motor but they seem to be more than up to the job. Just noticed I got Dunstable and Darlaston mixed up!!!

I can’t wait to stick a wash on again but there’s a few other things going on at the moment so I can’t guarantee when that will be.

Take care,

James

Post# 940677 , Reply# 24   5/28/2017 at 16:21 (2,523 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Thanks Rob! I filmed a video of it on its maiden wash which is on YouTube. Here is the link to that if you haven’t seen it already.

Regards,

James

CLICK HERE TO GO TO supermaticjames's LINK
Post# 940678 , Reply# 25   5/28/2017 at 16:32 (2,523 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        
Now for an update...

 I managed to repair the original hose so that I had the new old stock one to keep for years to come when I really do need it. So I went ahead and manually filled it up with water then walked away from it for half an hour. Hesitantly, I poked my head around the door and found that the floor was bone dry underneath so I selected a boil wash to let it stretch its legs a bit and see that everything works as it should before refitting everything.

Post# 940680 , Reply# 26   5/28/2017 at 16:42 (2,523 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Here are some photos of the nice little lot of 1600 spares I bought. Hopefully I won’t need any of them for years to come but at least I can relax that I should be able to keep it going regardless of what problems it throws at me.

The spare timer is manufactured by Eaton so it seems Hotpoint were trying different suppliers or perhaps the design was licensed to Eaton later in production. The module is a reconditioned part. I’m surprised to have got a door seal as I’d have thought the supply of these would have been exhausted after the big fire, likewise with the main hose which looks almost too good to use with its British Domestic Appliances sticker! I also got a PMC and a knob cap.

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Post# 940682 , Reply# 27   5/28/2017 at 17:08 (2,523 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

I took these before I put it all back together, all I did was wipe the insides with a damp cloth so it seems it was an easy life this machine had. The last picture is an interesting one - there is space and fixing holes for a second option slider and microswitch so it’s as if Hotpoint had plans for producing a second (De Luxe perhaps???) model to run alongside the 1600 if it was a success. Sadly, the 1600 had its ailments so expansion never happened and the back to the drawing board path was taken. I wonder what the second option was likely to be...

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Post# 940684 , Reply# 28   5/28/2017 at 17:14 (2,523 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

Finally, I got it moved into the wash house. It slotted in nicely beside the 1509 - I knew I left that space wide enough for a reason! ;)

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Post# 940686 , Reply# 29   5/28/2017 at 17:22 (2,523 days old) by supermaticjames (Donegal, Ireland)        

I nice little nook I must say!

So that’s the Hotpoint 1600 saved and restored. What on earth am I going to do now since I won’t be spending my time looking for one LOL!

James

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Post# 940697 , Reply# 30   5/28/2017 at 19:27 (2,523 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Control panel

 That illuminated control panel with that knob, reminds me of my mum's old radiogram.

Post# 940844 , Reply# 31   5/29/2017 at 19:15 (2,522 days old) by optima (Cumbria England)        
1600

 optima's profile picture
Loving this thread. The Illuminated Timeline is just so stunning James.

Post# 940993 , Reply# 32   5/30/2017 at 12:31 (2,521 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Absolutely wounderful

 James

A great commitment to first find and collect this machine and then to find the parts, restore and show it here fully working.

That replacement door gasket looks very similar to the English electric liberator boot, any chance of a part number to see if they have another, it may well make a better seal with the door than what I've tried so far.

I like the touch of the backing sheet for your display, I always imagined if I ever put on an exhibition I would have a backdrop of black serge or such like.

Well done

Mathew

Post# 941438 , Reply# 33   6/2/2017 at 12:41 (2,518 days old) by Hotpoint95622 (Powys)        
Fantastic

 hotpoint95622's profile picture
Wow what a find, such a sort after machine that we all thought that no one would find, all that effort has paid off keep up the hard work.

Fab machine, saved and now cared for...

Lee

Post# 942283 , Reply# 34   6/7/2017 at 14:51 (2,513 days old) by anthony (uk)        
just found this

 anthony's profile picture
from jhon Moores mail order cat 1973

Post# 942580 , Reply# 35   6/8/2017 at 22:49 (2,512 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Wow!

 panthera's profile picture

That is so cool! You know, the electronics aren't primitive, not really - how many Hotpoint electronics done today will be around in 44 months never mind years.

That would be none. Still, though - I'd replace the filter capacitor and any other electrolytics in her. Those are all well past their useful life and when they go, they can take other things with them.

Totally impressed.
Post# 942600 , Reply# 36   6/9/2017 at 05:30 (2,512 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hotpoint Electronics

 chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hi Anthony thats a great add, hadn't seen that one, 4 classic washers all on one page, and great to have examples of them within the group. !!

Interestingly only around £20 between them all, which one would you have chosen ?


Post# 942614 , Reply# 37   6/9/2017 at 07:32 (2,512 days old) by Ricky5050 (Durham Britain)        
Today's prices

ricky5050's profile picture
Looking at an inflation calculator these would all be between £1000 -£1200 each in today's money. No wonder a £299 matic from Tesco isn't built the same !!! And no wonder owners in the 70s cherished them !!

Richard

Post# 942626 , Reply# 38   6/9/2017 at 08:45 (2,512 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
I'd choose

 the Hoover automatic de luxe lol. As I already have the keymatic lol.

Back then the £20 price difference was quite a large sum, several weeks earnings at the time, of course talking from our point of view today, how could we choose, we'd have 2 of each, one left in the box and one to enjoy.

Also notice that the hire purchase agreement is over up to 50 weeks, whereas in the 60's you would be paying an appliance off over 3 years. So shows how prices of automatics were already falling in relation to peoples earnings.

Post# 942677 , Reply# 39   6/9/2017 at 14:55 (2,511 days old) by AquaCycle (West Yorkshire, UK)        

aquacycle's profile picture
The Hotpoint is £131.29. When adjusted for inflation, that's £1,593.10 in 2017 terms.

Post# 942681 , Reply# 40   6/9/2017 at 15:23 (2,511 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        
Can I Order

 The Automatic Standard please as there doesn't seem to be any surviving. I have my £2.01 ready, what day does the club man call?

Ian.

Post# 942682 , Reply# 41   6/9/2017 at 15:27 (2,511 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
"£1,593.10 in 2017 terms."

 In other words - Miele prices!

Yikes!

Post# 942686 , Reply# 42   6/9/2017 at 15:41 (2,511 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Miele prices!

 foraloysius's profile picture
Actually most Mieles are cheaper than that!

Post# 943195 , Reply# 43   6/12/2017 at 15:42 (2,508 days old) by anthony (uk)        
Hi chestermikeuk

 anthony's profile picture
back then i was only 16 and still living at home .My mum wouldn't have looked twice at any of those machines she loved her hoover twin tub [A wash dog]

Post# 943199 , Reply# 44   6/12/2017 at 15:45 (2,508 days old) by anthony (uk)        
its interesting

 anthony's profile picture
to note that the Hotpoint top loader will only take 1LB wash load more than the front loaders


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